Liquid chromatographic analysis of disopyramide and its mono-N-dealkylated metabolite

We describe a rapid, sensitive, and specific "high performance" liquid chromatographic analysis for disopyramide and its mono-N-dealkylated metabolite in serum, urine, and saliva. We used a mu-Bondapak CN column and an acetate buffer mobile phase containing methanol. Retention times for the two compounds and the internal standard, p-chlorodisopyramide, were 3.4, 4.1, and 6.3 min, respectively. The lower limits of sensitivity for drug and metabolite were 50 and 80 micrograms/L, respectively, with maximum coefficients of variation of 4.6 and 12%, respectively. Currently used antiarrhythmic drugs did not interfere with the analysis of disopyramide, and the pharmacokinetics of the drug, obtained from studies of one subject, agree well with reported values.